Switch mechanism.



W. D. THROOP,

SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAYM, |91?.

:i 286, l 4:5 v'lliented Nov. 26, 1918.

A TTOHNEV STATE@ PATENT FFQE.

WILLIAM D. THROOP, 0F NORWICH, CONNECTICUT. ASSIGNOR TO THE CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPO- SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application illed May 14, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. Tnnoor, a citizen of the United States residing at Norwich, county of New London, State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to electric switch mechanism and has for its objects to provide a novel switch actuating mechanism of the `quick acting type wherein a minimum amount of etort will be required to oper ate the switch, wherein there will be no dead center, and wherein the parts can be cheaply produced in large quantities readily assembled.

The invention is illustrated herein in connection with a wall push button switch, but the novel features of the invention are-ap plicable` to other ty es of switches such as and sockets, circuit brea ers and various other purposes requiring quick opening and closing without liabilityof sticking on dead center. The invention is also characterized by compactness of construction, whereby particular advantages are obtained where the space is limited, and especially where it is desired to employ shallow wall boxes or other inclosures. y

The various features of novelty will be pointed out in connection with the description of the accompanying drawings, in

i which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of aswitch embodying t einventlon,

Fig. 2, is a side elevation, partly-1n seeton v Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the parts in one position,

Figa is a similar vlew showing the parte in the other position,

Fig. ,5 is a bottom plan view of the yoke, partly in section,

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the mounting of the button rocker,

' Fig. 7 is a detail Aof one of the contacts, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view.

1 represents a porcelaln or other insulating box carrying line terminals 2, whlch are ,connected to conducting bars 3, 3 within the box, and each provided with a stationary switch contact 4. As shown herein, the switch is of the double-pole, double-break type, so that the line terminals und switch Specilcation of Letters atent.

contacts are duplicated as seen in Fig. 2. The contact carrier to which the Contact blades 5, 5, are attached, consists of separated members connected by an insulating bridge 6, said members being pivotally mounted on pins 7, 7 which rest at the bottoms oi slots 8 in the side walls of the box 1. 9, 9 are insulating washers placed between the switch blades 5 and outside plates 10, 10 and fastened by rivets 11, as seen in Fig. 8, the washers 9 being separated by an insulating washer 12, dis osed in the slot 13 of the switch blade 5. y this means, the bridge 6 does not become alive, but is maintained insulated. The pins 7 can be pulled out in order to remove the bridge from the yoke after it is removed from the box.

15 represents the yoke having the usual slots for fastening it to the box at each end, the button guide holes 16, 16 and de ending wings 17 having stop lugs 18 for imiting -ton rocker is best seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4f and comprises hooked arms 22 to engage inlinlrs 23 of the actuatinggbuttons 24, and a depending arm 25, which engages one end' of bow spring 26, in such a manner as to permit the spring to pivot. The other end of the spring is also pivotally connected with the middle of the bridge 6 as at 27.

rovide positive stops for the utton rocker 19 is provided In order to buttons, the

with lugs 28 which engage a transverse stop pin 29 carried by the yoke wings 417.

As seen in Figl, the material of. the yoke 15 is drawn so as to provide elongated guides for the buttons 24, and the yoke wings 17 the button rocker 19 and Athe bridge 6 are drawn so as to provide round end elongated bearings 30 so as to reduce friction and increase I the life of the switch. These are importantV features of the invention in connection withf the novel features of the operating spring"l now to be explained.

As will be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the end of the spring 26 which is connected to the bridge 6 is shghtly out of line with the other end of the spring; which is connected to the lug '25 on the button rocker 19, and the function of this is to permit the spring 'to pivot through practically 1500 as the button rocker is actuated, andon an axis which is substantially parallel with the plane of movement of the rocker 19 and the switchy members 5. The spring has a continuous pivoting movement both while being compressed, and while expanding, so that on account of this continuous pivotal movement of the springtogether with. the mounting ot' its ends so that they can pass each other, there is no point at which a dead center can occur. Moreover, the friction is reduced to a minimum with this mechanism, not only.

b reason of the specially elongated bearings. above referred to,but because oi the pivoting spring which is permitted to followanatural path and applies its entire energy in thi-owing the switch blade without loss through unnecessary friction. Upon operation of a button, the switch blade will thus be certainly thrown by the spring, and it the button is not actuated far enough, it is thrown back to its original position as soon as the pressure is relieved. The provision oit the stops 18 for the switch blade, independent of the stops 28 for theibutton rocker, prevents one from interfering with the other, and the latter stops 28 have the 'further time tion of positively limiting the movement of the actuator or button rocker and prevent the buttons from becoming jammed.

The invention is applicable to various other forms of switches than that specitically illustrated herein, and do ,not restrict myself to the precise construction shown except as required by the appended claims.

What is claimed, is

1. An improvement in switch mechanisms comprising an oscillatory switch member,

Van oscillatory rocker member and a spring connecting said members and mounted to oscillate on an axis arallel with the planes of movement of saidj members, whereby the switch member will be actuated by movement of the rocker member. y

2. An improvement in switch mechanisms comprising an oscillatory vswitch member, an oscillatory rocker member' and a spring having its ends attached to said members and positioned to pass each other to permit oscillation of the springp on an axis parallel with the planes of movement otl said members, whereby the switch member will be actuated by movement of the. rocker member.

3. An improvement in switch mechanism comprising an oscillatory switch member, an oscillatory rocker member, and a spring hav-- ing its ends connected to the respective members, said spring being tree to oscillate on an axis parallel with the planes ci' movement of said members, whereby the switch member will be actuated by movement of the rocher recense member, said spring turning continuously on said axis during its compressionand expansion in operating said switch member.

et. fin improvement in switch mechanism comprising an oscillatory rocker member, and a. coiledspring', the axis of the coil being parallel with the axes ot said members, the ends oi the spring being connected with the respective members, said spring being free to oscillate on an axis parallel with the i 5 planes ot movement 'of said members, whereby the switch member will be actuated by n'iovement oi" the rocker member.

5.. An improvement in switch mechanism comprising a yoke, an) oscillatory rocker member pivotally supported by the yoke, an oscillatory switch member, and a spring connecting the rocker member and the switch member and mounted to oscillate on an airis parallel with the planes of movement of said S5 members, whereby the switch member will be actuated. by movement oi" the rocker member.

6. An improvement in switch mechanism comprising a yolte, an oscillatory rocker member pivotally supported by the yoke, an! oscillatory switch member, a spring' connect, ing the rocker member and the switch inem#A ber and mounted to oscillate on an axis par/1 Y allcl with the planes of movement of saidle' members, whereby'the switch member will be actuated by movement of the rocker member, and means carried by the yoke for limiting movement ot the switch member. i

7. in improvement in switch mechanism 100 comprising a, yoke, an oscillatory rocker member pivotally supported by the yoke, an oscillatory switch member, a spring connecting the rocker mem' er and the swltch member and mounted to oscillate on an axis parallel with the planes of movement of said members, whereby the switch member will be A actuated by movement of the roclier member, l i and means carried by said yoke'ior limitingy movement or" said rocker member. u -1 10 8. A switch mechanism comprising a member formed of sheet metal having wings each i provided with an integral raised-boss forming a :facial bearing, and the metal'extending i inwardly and forming a long axial bearing. '115 9. A switch mechanism comprising a oke having separated bearings, pins each av ing one end in a bearing of 'saioh yoke, a boa having` supports adapted to receive the other ends or" said pins, a switch member p'ivotally 120 mounted on said pins, a rocher member, and' a spring connecting said rocker member and said switch member and mounted to oscillate on an axis parallel with the plane of move-I ment of said rocker member, whereby the y .I

switch memberwill be actuated by movement ot the rocker member. l f

Y l0. A switch 'mechanismy comprising a yoke having separated bearings, pins each having one end in a bearing ot said. yoke, a box haar#y ing supports adapted to receive the other ends of said pins, a switch member pivotally mounted on said pins, a rocker1 member piv ber, whereby the switch member will be actuated by movement of the rocker member.

11. An electric switch of the character described comprising an oscillatory actuating member, an oscillatory Contact carrier, and a spring having its ends, engaging said carrier and said actuating member, respectively, at points relatively positioned oblique to the axis of oscillation, whereby the spring will be distorted on its axis by movement of the actuating member, and the torsional movement of the spring thus 4produced will actuate the carrier.v

12. An electric switch of the character described comprising an oscillatory actuating member, an oscillatory contact carrier provided With separated blade-carrying members connected by a bridge piece, and a spring having its ends engaging said carrier and vsaid actuating member, respectively, at points relatively positioned oblique to the axis of oscillation, whereby the spring will be distorted on its axis by movement of the actuating member and the torsional movement of the spring' thus produced will actuate the carrier.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

WILLIAM D. THROOI. 

